Jodi Emerson

Jodene Emerson (born August 3, 1972) is an American politician.[1] In 2018, she was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 91st Assembly District.[2][3]

Jodi Emerson
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 91st district
Assumed office
January 7, 2019
Preceded byDana Wachs
Personal details
Born (1972-08-03) August 3, 1972
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Julian
Children2
ResidenceEau Claire, Wisconsin
Alma materUW-River Falls (attended)

Early life and family

Emerson was born and raised in Eau Claire, and graduated from Memorial High School. Emerson attended UW-River Falls for two years before starting a family. Emerson is married to Leader-Telegram reporter Julian Emerson and has two adult daughters. She has been a PTA president and Girl Scout troop leader.

Career

Emerson has been an adjunct instructor on human trafficking topics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.[4]

Emerson with Governor Scott Walker at a bill signing in April 2016

Emerson was a legal assistant in a law office and worked as the Director of Public Policy and Community Relations for Fierce Freedom, a nonprofit advocacy organization that worked to address human trafficking. Emerson has been an anti-trafficking advocate and author of a number of successful bipartisan pieces of legislation, including Senate Bill 344, Senate Bill 396, Senate Bill 618, Assembly Bill 16, Assembly Bill 186, Assembly Bill 435, and Act 367.[5][6][7]

Emerson also developed a statewide program to train hotel workers to spot the signs of human trafficking and co-chaired the development of the statewide community response protocol on human trafficking.[8][9][10] In 2015, Emerson was appointed to serve on Wisconsin's Anti Human Trafficking Task Force.[11] Emerson has also been a member of the Wisconsin Anti-Trafficking Consortium and the Wisconsin Anti-Trafficking Advisory Council, serving as a frequent guest speaker and panelists at churches, schools and libraries across the midwest.[12]

Wisconsin Assembly (2018-present)

In March 2018, Emerson announced her run for the Wisconsin State Assembly representing District 91, a seat currently held by Gubernatorial candidate Dana Wachs.[13] Emerson was endorsed by EMILY's List, Fair Wisconsin, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, State Senator La Tonya Johnson, State Representative Jill Billings, former State Representative Kristen Dexter, and the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization for Women.[14]

Emerson won an August 14th four-way primary with 37% of the vote and went on to win the November election with 67% of the vote.[15]

For the Wisconsin State Assembly 2019-2021 session, Emerson was appointed to the committees on Aging and Long-Term Care, Colleges and Universities, Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Family Law, and International Affairs/Commerce.

Notes
  1. "Candidates for 91st District State Assembly seat to appear Monday on WPR's "The West Side"". Chippewa Valley Post. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  2. staff, Eric Lindquist Leader-Telegram. "Emerson to represent Eau Claire in Legislature". Leader-Telegram. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  3. "Democrat Jodi Emerson wins 91st Assembly". WQOW. 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  4. "Human Trafficking in Wisconsin: Next Steps for Professionals". Continuing Education. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  5. Kravinsky, Nina (9 February 2015). "Recent events bring light to Wisconsin's human trafficking problem". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  6. Opoien, Jessie (9 February 2016). "Stalking, domestic abuse and human trafficking protection bill headed to Scott Walker's desk". The Cap Times. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  7. "E-Update". State Representative Kathy Bernier. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  8. O'Neill, Madalyn (19 May 2017). "Group training hotel staff to spot signs of human trafficking". News 8000 WKBT. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  9. Bringe, Jessica (8 May 2017). ""Be Aware" campaign combats Chippewa Valley human trafficking". WEAU 13 News. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  10. Kremer, Rich (9 May 2017). "Non-Profit Advocacy Group Fierce Freedom Says Workers Can Be Eyes, Ears Of Law Enforcement". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  11. "Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Membership" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  12. Macek, Katy (11 January 2018). "Speaker: Sex trafficking occurs more frequently than many think". Leader Telegram. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  13. Sarafin, Claire (2 March 2018). "Eau Claire's Jodi Emerson announces run for WI Assembly". WQOW News 18. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  14. "ENDORSEMENTS | EmersonforAssembly". Emerson For Assembly | Jodi. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  15. WEAU. "WEAU 13 News | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | August 2018 Election". www.weau.com. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
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